Brand New

Happy 2013!!! I just LOVE a brand new year! A clean slate, a chance to start over! I think that as teachers, we are extra lucky because we get to start over TWICE a year --- once in August, and again in January! 

I really liked the message our pastor shared with us today. Our pastor is absolutely amazing and his messages are the best! He said so many things are *new and improved* but that things can't be both new AND improved. So instead, he said we can be new OR improved. 

We can change outside in or change INSIDE out.

We can do something different or BE something different.

We can improve the old you or BECOME a new you.

Our church participates in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting every January to help re-focus our lives on what is most important after the excitement of the holidays! 

I am fasting Facebook for the next 21 days. I estimated that I am on Facebook 3 - 4 times a day and am on for about 10 - 15 minutes each time. That is 40 - 60 MINUTES {at a minimum} a day! What?!?!?!?! 

I am going to use that time to spend more time on my Daily Devotional and spend more quality time with my sweet hubs. Instead of making resolutions this year, I am trying to refocus my time on what will make me change inside out, be something different, and become a new me! 

Ready for a brand new today with my precious firsties tomorrow! They will be excited ---

*brand new table spots

*brand new Math Work Station partners

*brand new Read to Someone partners

and the cutest of all - brand new crayons 

{it always makes me smile when they get so excited about sharp, pointy crayons!}

Anyone else SO EXCITED for the {brand new} Bachelor tomorrow night? Can. not. wait. I am a big fan of Sean---with us both being redheads, we have a bond! :) Kristin- I am so looking forward to some good belly laughs every Tuesday for the next few months! :)

If you are looking for a brand new to you blog to stalk - check out An Apple a Day in First Grade! I connected with Karen through the 12 Days of Giveaways and she is so sweet! We discovered we had a lot in common! She just posted some presh fonts - go check them out! :)

Hoping this is your best brand new year yet!